YOURLifeChoices subscriber, Shirley, has asked for some information regarding community interaction and learning in regards to computers and the internet. YOURLifeChoices has covered the issues of Computer clubs, internet allowances, online diary’s and $250 computers.
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association Australian ...

Q. Graham You placed my concerns some time ago on your newsletter and I received some interesting information. I have since contacted the Government but cannot get any response to my mail and emails. Do you have an address for an organisation that address pensioners concerns ...

Is the government-funded set-top box really new? The 2011/12 Federal Budget delivered continued funding for the Household Assistance Scheme to provide eligible pensioners with a free set-top box. As this is already in operation, it seems strange that the announcement provoked such political backlash. The Household ...

Improved access to public dental health will be welcomed by many Australians for whom a visit to the dentist provokes a reaction of fear and loathing – not at the actual treatment itself but at the bill presented upon completion. The Government is investing $53million over four years to ...

Following on from the Broadband for Seniors initiative, further funding of $10.4 million will be provided over four years to support the 2,000 existing broadband kiosks around the country. An estimated 94,000 older Australians have utilised these kiosks to keep in touch with family and friends, or simply to ...

With the Productivity Commission due to deliver its final report into redesigning Australia's aged care system next month, it will be interesting to see just how far the $55.4 billion committed over the next four years will go. Under National Health Reforms a nationally consistent aged ...

It is no surprise that when it comes to cancer, prevention or early detection are preferable to a cure. With fewer than 40 per cent of bowel cancers being detected early, the need for a screening program is evident. Funding for this program ceased at the ...

The investment in skills has four prongs. Firstly, the National Workforce Development Fund created to deliver an estimated 130,000 training places tailored to industry needs. Secondly the streamlining, and in some cases fast tracking, of Australian Apprenticeships so more of the 400,000 apprentices complete the qualification, including a tax ...

Reforms include changes to the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) and the phasing out of the Dependent Spouse Tax Offset (DSTO) for those born on or after July 1, 1971, support for disadvantaged groups including those with a disability and the long-term unemployed, a targeting of those suffering from ...

This is not news, but was delivered as such in the Budget press releases today. Starting 1 July the revised work Bonus will allow age pensioners (particularly those with seasonal or project work) to earn up to $250 a fortnight without having this assessed under the pension income test. ...

‘Australians with a mental illness will get the care they need, when they need it, under a $2.2 billion reform package (over five years) for mental health services.’ Now that’s a big claim. We hope it is possible. The breakdown of core components of this program is as follows: ...

“Jobs, jobs, jobs are the centrepiece of the budget”, said Treasurer Wayne Swan in the press conference in the budget lock-up today. Except for older Australians, apparently. The two key elements to the package announced - Building Australia’s Future Workforce - are a $3 billion ...

We simply don’t believe it… buried in the fine print, there it was. The Government will provide $4 million over four years to fund a stand-alone Age Discrimination commissioner and support team in the Australian Human Rights Commission. What does this mean for you? It means there ...

We simply don’t believe it… buried in the fine print, there it was. The Government will provide $4 million over four years to fund a stand-alone Age Discrimination commissioner and support team in the Australian Human Rights Commission. What does this mean for you? It means there ...

In early 2008 Australia gained the title of ‘fattest country in the world’… not the land… but the inhabitants. Read Drew’s report and recommendations for a healthier waistline. In recent years, Australia has overtaken America to become the most obese country in the world (per capita). ...

In July 2009, the Government implemented changes to superannuation concession contributions. With hefty tax implications for excessive contributions above the new levels, it’s important to understand how much salary you can sacrifice. From July 2009, the new limits on how much can be contributed to ...

As of 1 July 2009, the Government implemented changes to superannuation concessions. If you’re still salary sacrificing into your superannuation fund, you need to make sure this is still the best way to maximise your super. The annual cap on concessional superannuation contributions will be ...

Managing your own super is a big responsibility, so it’s important you make sure it’s the best option for you. Starting your own Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) will require you to make some important decisions about how to run your fund and structure it. If ...